The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), yesterday, canvassed deployment of technology for better services in the pharmaceutical industry.
It noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the mode of rendering services by medical personnel and enabled the pharmaceutical sector adapt to a new means of providing information remotely to healthcare providers through virtual media and electronic applications to reduce physical contact.
The National Chairman, Ignatius Anukwu, who spoke at the body’s 24 Annual National Conference themed: “Technological Revolution: Adaptation in Industrial Pharmacy Practice” in Lagos, noted this year’s conference was a logical continuation of NAIP’s thought process, starting from 2017 and has perfected plans on major initiatives critical to technology utilisation for advancement of the profession.
To the guest speaker and President of Industrial Pharmacy section (FIP), Sola Solarin, biotechnology and information technology would shape development in industrial pharmaceutical practice for the profession to thrive under the new normal, as it would require new educational curriculum that accommodate necessary requirements to succeed in this era.
“Adaption to the requirements of practice today should start with education. The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) must be specially commended for developing a sophisticated Information Technology (I.T.) enabled platforms for continuing professional education. Biotechnology should be given to pharmacist already in practice. While undergraduate curriculum should be richer in biotechnology and information technology, may be it is time for Industrial pharmacists to start a discussion on a different track for training industrial pharmacist,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of technology in the industry, Chairman, Board of Directors, Access Bank, Dr. Dere Awosika, said: “Technological innovations in the industry is a must because pharmaceutical industry has evolved itself. So we need to adapt technology, run with it and don’t talk with it but work with it for the advancement of the profession.”
President, Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAP), Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, urged youths and undergraduates to utilise modern technology during studies, as it would grow the profession.
